Hong Kong’s Trade Development Council is searching for a replacement for its executive director ahead of her retirement, with the Post learning that the government prefers a candidate with a strong grasp of geopolitical issues and commerce.
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According to an insider who is familiar with the hiring process, a selection committee headed by the financial secretary will be set up to pick the right candidate for the city’s trade promotion body, with incoming council chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang also joining the panel.
Another source said on Wednesday that candidates were expected to have different qualities from those recruited in the past, adding that ideally they should have a good understanding of mainland China, emerging markets and geopolitics given the escalating US-China tensions.
Executive director Margaret Fong Shun-man will retire later this year when she reaches 60.
In a reply to the Post, the council confirmed that Fong would retire and that it was carrying out the selection process to find her successor.
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“Our strong governance ensures that services and support for SMEs remain unaffected by personnel changes,” a spokesman said.